It’s that time again! Here are my Week 13 Midweek Musings:<\/p>\n
I didn’t watch the Wildcats’ blowout of UT-Martin, but a couple of things stood out in the box score. First of all, three different players attempted passes. Those players were 1\/6 for nine yards, 1\/2 for eight yards, and 0\/3. That’s right, Kentucky completed TWO passes for 17 yards in a game they won 50-7.<\/p>\n
Of course, they also rushed for a school-record 462 yards.<\/p>\n
Speaking of school records, quarterback Shea Patterson<\/a><\/strong> broke one too. Patterson became the first Michigan player to throw at least four touchdowns in back-to-back games. Not bad when you consider he plays for the alma mater of one Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>. The 9-2 Wolverines have their flaws, but they’ve progressed tremendously since having their doors blown off against Wisconsin.<\/p>\n Another quarterback broke a record in a wild game between the Cougs and Oregon State. WSU’s Anthony Gordon<\/a><\/strong> completed 50 of 70 pass attempts for 606 yards, six scores, and three picks. He broke the Pac-12 single-season record with his 44th touchdown and ended the game with 45. Washington State won, 54-53.<\/p>\n I don’t want to overlook Oregon State, either. They’ve been a Pac-12 doormat for a few years, but have looked to be turning a corner in the last few weeks. However, becoming bowl-eligible is a long shot, as they would have to beat Oregon on the road next week. Which brings me to…<\/p>\n The Ducks probably weren’t going to leap into the top four, but they definitely won’t after falling to the unranked Sun Devils, 31-28. The Committee dropped Oregon from #6 all the way to #14.<\/p>\n The good news for Oregon is that they should get some players back from injury for the Oregon State game this week. Center Jake Hanson<\/a><\/strong>, receiver Jaylon Redd<\/a><\/strong>, and running back CJ Verdell<\/strong><\/a> missed all or part of the Arizona State game, but all three are expected to be available this weekend.<\/p>\n It was basically academic, but LSU punched their ticket to the SEC Championship game with their 56-20 win over Arkansas. It was another outstanding game for Heisman front-runner Joe Burrow<\/a><\/strong>, who threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Clyde Edwards-Helaire<\/a><\/strong> carried six times for an average of 31.3 yards each and found the end zone three times.<\/p>\n This weekend, the Tigers will attempt to get revenge on Texas A&M for their seven-overtime loss a year ago. The AP has a preview of the game here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Their season got off to a terrible start, but the Vols’ win over Missouri makes them bowl-eligible. I’m really impressed with the way this group stuck together; despite the results; at no point did it look like the players were giving less than 100%. That’s a huge credit to the senior leadership on the team.<\/p>\n It was far from the Sooners’, or Jalen Hurts<\/a><\/strong>‘, best game of the season. Hurts missed several open receivers, lost a fumble deep in TCU territory, and threw a pick-six. But the team’s 366 rushing yards (including a team-leading 173 from Hurts), and a solid effort from the defense allowed the Sooners a four-point win.<\/p>\n The Bearcats clinched a spot in the AAC title game with their win over Temple. A large part of that win was a blocked extra point returned 98 yards for a touchdown by… Coby Bryant<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The only thing keeping this season from being a complete disaster for the ‘Canes is the fact that they’re bowl-eligible. That’s a small consolation after a loss to Florida International. Michael Irvin<\/a><\/strong>, Ray Lewis<\/a><\/strong>, et al. must have been apoplectic watching that game, covered by LWOS here<\/a>. To add insult to injury, the win also makes FIU bowl-eligible.<\/p>\nWashington State<\/h2>\n
Oregon<\/h2>\n
LSU<\/h2>\n
Tennessee<\/h2>\n
Oklahoma<\/h2>\n
Cincinnati<\/h2>\n
Miami<\/h2>\n